Sean Roughan is, obviously, attracting a lot of attention right now.
Yesterday, it was reported Bolton Wanderers might be interested in him, but in fairness, that’s probably not an obvious move. Sean will surely be looking to step up to the Championship, or another major league, and rightly so. Bolton are a much bigger club than us, but would they be willing to part with a significant sum?
I’m hypothesising here, but I’d imagine the Professional Football Compensation Committee (PFCC) fee would be decent if he moved to another English club. However, news that Edinburgh side Hearts are now also possibly interested could be a huge blow, as the fee is calculated differently for cross-border transfers.
PFCC
The PFCC is a governing body in English football that determines the compensation owed to a club when a player under contract moves to another English club. This process comes into play particularly when clubs cannot agree on a transfer fee for young or out-of-contract players – in other words, if we offered Sean a deal, he wants to leave, but we can’t agree a fee with Bolton. For a while, it looked like our move for JJ McKiernan might be subject to the PFCC.
The PFCC is composed of an independent Chairman and representatives from key football organisations, including the Premier League, The Football League, the Professional Footballers’ Association, and the League Managers’ Association. Its structure ensures a balanced and fair decision-making process.
When calculating compensation, the PFCC considers a wide range of costs related to player development. These include expenses for running academies, such as accommodation, facilities, coaching, education, welfare, kits, and medical support. Even scouting and administrative costs are taken into account. Given the investment we’ve made in Sean, from his Irish tutor to his training and development, we would probably expect a high six-figure sum (that’s me guesstimating, btw).
FIFA Compensation System
When a player under 23 moves across the English border—such as to a Scottish club—their former club may be entitled to a development fee or training compensation, but not through the PFCC. The FIFA system, established after the Bosman ruling, ensures clubs are reimbursed for training young players, even if the player leaves at the end of their contract. To qualify, the former club must offer a new contract in writing and notify both the league and the player’s new club.
The fee amount varies based on the club’s league category and the player’s development years, usually from age 12 to 21. For example, when Mark Stewart moved from Falkirk to Bradford City in 2011, the Court of Arbitration for Sport considered whether his training had effectively ended before 21, based on factors like his first-team involvement and overall value.
Compensation covers a wide range of expenses, from coaching and facilities to education and travel, reflecting the total investment made in the player’s development. However, it is widely accepted that these fees tend to be lower than the PFCC, as seen with Joe Aribo’s move to Rangers from Charlton in 2019.
Where Should He Go?
Any move for Sean is dependent on us offering a new deal, which is almost certain. It’s also relying on him not wanting to sign that deal and stay, which, given his talent and potential, is also likely. Sean is a huge talent and has earned the right to seek a move. He’s been on the radar of Chelsea and Southampton in the past, and 22 is the sort of age where a step up is needed.
Bolton, while a bigger club, wouldn’t be a step up in level, and the gamble would be them being promoted next season. Hearts would be another step up in terms of club size, but level? Ethan Erhahon came to us from a similar position (lower midtable SPFL) with St Mirren, to try and crack a division above. Eight matches against Rangers and Celtic are big, but six of the 12 teams in the division have lower attendances than we do.
If Aberdeen or Hibernian, offering European football, were linked, I’d perhaps understand it more, but a move to Hearts is another risk for Sean. Of course, I’d love him to stay here, but a move to somewhere like Hull City, Preston or Stoke would surely be best, if they’re interested. Teams who might match the compensation deal, who will offer Championship football, but also a viable route to a place in the starting XI.